Though it’s likely that Sunday’s game between the Lions and the Vikings will result in a runaway win for the home team, two key members of the visiting squad will again be available.
Lions receiver Calvin Johnson and quarterback Matthew Stafford are both probable with knee injuries.
Johnson missed two games before returning last week in a 32-20 loss to the Seahawks. But he caught only two passes for 27 yards and, on the season, Megatron has managed only 24 receptions for 352 yards and one touchdown.
Stafford was showing some promise before suffering a knee injury in Week Four. After missing two games due to a kneecap subluxation, Stafford’s passer rating in two starts has been south of 50.
Linebacker Ernie Sims is out for the Lions with a hamstring injury. Linebacker Jordon Dizon (neck), linebacker Larry Foote (knee), and defensive end Dewayne White (toe) are questionable.
Other Lions who are probable for Sunday’s game include defensive tackle Joe Cohen (ankle), running back Jerome Felton (ankle), defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill (toe), defensive end Jason Hunter (knee), and defensive tackle Grady Jackson (knee).
For the Vikings, cornerback Antoine Winfield (foot) is out, and receiver Bernard Berrian (hamstring) is questionable. Linebacker Jasper Brinkley (hamstring), linebacker E.J. Henderson (knee), and receiver Darius Reynaud (hamstring) are probable.
Also probable is quarterback Brett Favre, who finally has been disclosed as having both a groin injury and a hip injury. Previously, his groin injury was described as a hip injury, and coach Brad Childress had tried to explain that Favre’s hip injury actually is a groin injury.
Regardless of whether the injured area is Favre’s groin, hip, or taint, it would be wise for Chilly to build a big lead and then give Favre as much time off as possible, as pointed out in our Week 10 10-pack for SportingNews.com.